Anthony "AJ" Elliott, age 34, a resident of Wheaton, IL, passed away on Wednesday, February 16, 2022. He was born October 19, 1987 in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.

Once upon a time there was a boy called "Cueball" his round head held only the finest of tiny hairs. This boy wanted to do everything his sister did, but especially liked to run. He would run headlong into anything, couches, beds, kitchen cabinets. If he fell down, he would climb back up, laugh and run in the other direction. He was cheerful and vibrant and loved being outside.

As he grew, "Cueball" became "AJ" as there were so many Anthonys in his classes. AJ loved animals, camping, swimming and fishing. He joined the Cub Scouts, then the Boy Scouts of America and eventually became a summer camp counselor. AJ secured his GED and began college courses on two different occasions but suffered from health and financial setbacks that prevented him from finishing. He was a restless spirit who took to travelling from Illinois to Ohio, then to Wisconsin, Colorado, Texas, Arizona, and eventually California where he ended up camping on a beach with a man called Jesus. AJ delighted in telling people of how he came to meet Jesus on a California beach.

Even though he was often quiet and reclusive, content with his books and music, he always found friends. As an adherent of Dudeism, AJ believed it is important to make life more pleasant and meaningful to ourselves and each other. His kind and generous spirit would attract others who would treasure him for a while, until he moved on. At his home in Wheaton, AJ knew all the neighbors and their dogs (especially the dogs).

AJ was a farmer at heart, who thrilled at the growing of things, he had a particular fascination for the humble potato in all its multitudinous forms and could talk quite expertly on growing and nurturing these plants, reminisce about selling them at farmers markets, and of preparing them in new and delightful dishes.

AJ had suffered recent setbacks, he had been declared legally blind in October of 2021, he was having issues with mobility that had not yet been diagnosed, and had recently tested positive for COVID-19 after being sick for several days. AJ passed away five days later at home.

His kind heart, gentle soul and quiet reliability will be missed.

AJ is survived by his mother M. Lin Elliott and his father Jay (Theresa) Elliott; his maternal grandmother Matalyn Gardner; his sister Jasmine Tracy, his brother Alex Elliott, his step-brother Josh (Becky) Wallace; and his nephew Morgan Tracy.

He was preceded in death by his maternal grandfather Bob Gardner and his paternal grandparents James & Dolores Elliott.

Services will be private.

Memorial gifts may be directed to Leader Dogs for the Blind .

Family and friends may sign a guest book at hultgrenfh.com. For more information, please call Hultgren Funeral Home at 630-668-0027.